November 1-3
MANHATTAN
CRANBERRIES INVADE ROCKEFELLER PLAZA!: Ocean Spray's Bogs Across America tour kicks off in Rockefeller Plaza, celebrating the beauty of the cranberry harvest. The 1,500-square-foot freestanding bog will contain about 2,000 pounds of cranberries from rural bogs across the country. Learn more about the taste, health, and heritage of the cranberry from Ocean Spray growers just in time for Thanksgiving. 10am-4pm. FREE. 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. (617) 520-7109. www.oceanspray.com.
Wednesday, November 7
QUEENS
THANKSGIVING TABLE-TOPPERS/CENTERPIECES: Make the Thanksgiving table more festive with hand-made harvest centerpieces. 4pm. Grades 1-8. FREE. Queens Library, Rosedale Branch, 144-20 243 Street. (718) 528-8490. www.queenslibrary.org.
WESTCHESTER
THE LITTLEST PILGRIMS: A musical adventure of two children and their voyage on the Mayflower. What's it like to leave home for a new place? What's the New World like? Who lives there? What kind of food will there be? A show for learning about life as a Pilgrim child. 10:30am. Grades 1-2. $14. Rochambeau Theater, 228 Fisher Avenue, White Plains. 914-761-7463. www.westcoproductions.org.
Friday, November 9
QUEENS
SCIENCE AND ART FRIDAYS: Fun and educational activities for kids every Friday. Today: corn kernel bracelets. Dried Indian corn kernels strung into a bracelet make a particularly festive accessory to wear to Thanksgiving gatherings. 3:15-4:15pm. $3. New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Flushing Meadows. (718) 699-0005. www.nyhallsci.org.
Saturday, November 10
QUEENS
LITTLE CHEFS — MMM! TURKEY PANCAKES: Children experience the pleasure of preparing, decorating, and eating their very own turkey pancakes, followed by Thanksgiving Day stories and games. All materials included. Call to pre-register. 10.30am-12pm. Ages 7-10. $19. Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston. (718) 229-4000. www.alleypond.com.
Sunday, November 11
QUEENS
LET'S TALK TURKEY: Learn some interesting facts about this fascinating bird this turkey season through hands-on activities such as quill writing and feather zipping. Meet live, feathered and non-feathered friends, sing songs, take a nature walk and have a snack. Call to register; limited places. 10am-12pm.For 4-year-olds. $16. Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Douglaston. (718) 229-4000. www.alleypond.com.
Tuesday, November 13
THANKSGIVING STORY AND CRAFT: Make fun crafts and listen to holiday stories. In Lower Level Rooms C and D; pre-registration required. 4pm. Ages 6-12. FREE. Queens Library, Flushing Branch, 41-17 Main Street. (718) 661-1212. www.queenslibrary.org.
Saturday, November 17
MANHATTAN
CLIFFORD'S THANKSGIVING WISHES FOR GREAT DISHES!: Pick up some culinary tips for turkey day! Clifford shares his cooking skills, poses for pictures, and leads a "Thanksgiving Day" parade. Listen to a reading about the meaning of Thanksgiving at this fun-filled family event. 3pm. Ages 5 and up. FREE. Scholastic Book Store SoHo, 557 Broadway. (212) 389-3800. www.scholastic.com.
A SEASON OF THANKS — HOLIDAY WORKSHOP: Families celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving as they draw inspiration from a Thanksgiving tale and their own personal experience to create cornhusk dolls, pinched pots, turkey hats and more. Call for more information and reservations. 10am-12pm. Ages 4 and up. $5 per child with accompanying adult. Cathedral of Street John the Divine, West 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. (212) 932-7347. www.livingmusic.com/solstice/wintersolstice.html.
QUEENS
LET'S TALK TURKEY: See November 11.
ROCKLAND
19th CENTURY THANKSGIVING: It was back in 1817 that New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom, and not until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln declared it the last Thursday in November. Come the weekend before the great feast to learn how Americans celebrated this holiday. Watch as women prepare the traditional autumn meal on the open hearth, and sample the delicious fare. Crafts and activities for children. 11am-4pm. Museum Village, 1010 Route 17M, Monroe. (845) 782-8247; www.museumvillage.org.
Sunday, November 18
STATEN ISLAND
THANKSGIVING WITH THE BEASTS: Do you want to see some of the rowdiest dinner guests you could ever imagine? A day-long series of special feedings at the Zoo in honor of Thanksgiving. Make a Thanksgiving craft to take home. Pre-registration not required All day; crafts run 1.30-3.30pm. Free with admission. Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island. (718) 442-3100. www.statenislandzoo.org.
QUEENS
LET'S TALK TURKEY: See November 11.
WESTCHESTER
TURKEY FUN: Learn about the farm's turkeys and have fun making Thanksgiving crafts. 1-3pm. FREE. Muscoot Farm, Route 100, Somers. 914-864-7282. www.westchestergov.com/parks.
GOBBLE IT UP!: Wild turkey populations are on the rise locally. What's the reason for their comeback and success? Meet a turkey from Teatown's collection, try your hand at turkey calling, and make a turkey craft to take home. All ages welcome. 1-2:30pm. $5. Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining. Pre-registration required: 914-762-2912, ext.110. www.teatown.org; email: Teatown@teatown.org.
TURKEY SCAVENGER HUNT:Toddlers are invited to join in a traditional "turkey token" hunt along a nature trail. Afterwards, there will be refreshments and nature crafts for all "gobblers". 1:30pm. Pre-registration recommended. $8 person. Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale. 914-723-3470. www.greenburghnaturecenter.org.
ROCKLAND
A BRICK HOUSE FEAST: Check out the Brick House in Montgomery, which will be decorated with seasonal displays celebrating the harvest. The dining room will be set up for a formal Thanksgiving meal. Guided tours and refreshments are available. 10am-4pm. On Route 17K; (845) 457-4905.
19th CENTURY THANKSGIVING: See November 17
Wednesday, November 21
QUEENS
THANKSGIVING CRAFT WORKSHOP: Kick off the holiday season by creating Thanksgiving crafts to share with friends and family. 3.30pm. FREE. Queens Library, Broadway Branch, 40-20 Broadway. (718) 721-2462. www.queenslibrary.org.
Thursday, November 22
MANHATTAN
CAMP BROADWAY OPENS MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE: Join the crowds lining the streets for Macy's 81st annual Thanksgiving Day parade. This year, Camp Broadway, the award-winning theater arts education and audience development company, will lead 600 performance-loving kids in a live performance of an original opening number, "Making Magic." Kids will also love the Dora the Explorer giant balloon and show by the Laurie Berkner Band. Or avoid the crush and watch it on NBC from 9am-12pm. The parade starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, heads to Columbus Circle, then down Broadway to Macy's, finishing on Seventh Avenue. 9am-12pm. FREE. (212) 494-4495. www.macys.com.
MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE: Join the crowds lining the streets for Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day parade. This year, kids will love the Dora the Explorer giant balloon and performance by the Laurie Berkner Band. Or avoid the crush and watch it on NBC from 9am-12pm. The parade starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, heads to Columbus Circle, then down Broadway to Macy's, finishing on Seventh Avenue. (212) 494-4495. www.macys.com.
WESTCHESTER
MAXIMIZE YOU WEEKEND RETREAT: Spend a weekend (November 22-25) at a holiday retreat for your Jewish family. Events include lavish Thanksgiving dinner, stimulating lectures, professional youth program, gourmet meals, an inspiring Shabbat program. Topics include Writing Your Family Mission Statement, Out-of-the-box Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planning, Positive, Painless Parenting. Doubletree Hotel, 455 South Broadway, Tarrytown , NY. 866-219-2254; www.jprisms.com
ROCKLAND
FIVE MILE TURKEY TROT: Run with the Rockland Road Runners on Thanksgiving morning and eat guilt-free on Thanksgiving afternoon! The race covers two miles of rolling hills and three miles of flat, lakeside views. It honors those who have served and continue to serve in the name of freedom. 8:30am. Registration, $18. North Pool Parking Lot #1, Rockland Lake State Park, Congers. www.windcoweb.com/turkeytrot.
Friday, November 23
MANHATTAN
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND: Van Cortlandt Manor is fully decorated for the holidays in authentic period style. Costumed guides will present theme tours that focus on historic traditions of the winter holidays. Hands-on workshops for children add holiday cheer to the festivities. 10am-4pm. $12; $10 seniors; $6 children 5-17; children under 5, FREE. 525 South Riverside Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson. 914-591-8763. www.hudsonvalley.org.
THE LITTLE MERMAID — HOLIDAY MATINEE: Special Thanksgiving performance of the musical show presented by the Literally Alive Theatre company for kids of all ages. For tickets, visit www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/7657 or call (212) 352-3101 or (866) 811-4111. Pre-show workshop at 11am. $25 adults; $20 children; workshop $5 extra for children. The Players Theater, 115 MacDougal Street, between 3rd & Bleecker, NYC. (212) 352-3101. www.literallyalive.com.
THE ORIGINAL MULTI-ETHNIC EATING TOUR: A post-Thanksgiving tour that mixes history and gastronomy on the multi-ethnic Lower East Side. Learn about the Jewish East Side, Little Italy, and Chinatown as you nosh your way through the neighborhood sampling foods traditional to the Dominican Republic, Eastern Europe, China, Italy, and more. "Enhanced" noshing tour available for private group tours. Reservations requested. 1pm. $20. Big Onion Tours. Meet: Southeast corner of Delancey and Essex Streets, in front of the Olympic Diner. (212) 439-1090. www.bigonion.com.
CENTRAL PARK — THE BIG BACK YARD OF THE CITY: Walk off that Thanksgiving turkey with a foot tour of Central Park. Learn more about the history of the first great park in the United States — once a "filthy, squalid, and disgusting" site, these 843 acres became a work of art at the heart of the crowded metropolis. 1pm. $15; $12 ages 65+. Joyce Gold History Tours. Meet: Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, at the General Sherman statue. (212) 242-5762. www.joycegoldhistorytours.com.
THE LITTLE MERMAID — HOLIDAY MATINEE: Special Thanksgiving performance of the musical show presented by the Literally Alive Theatre company for kids of all ages. For tickets, visit www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/7657 or call (212) 352-3101 or (866) 811-4111. Pre-show workshop at 11am. $25 adults; $20 children; workshop $5 extra for children. The Players Theater, 115 MacDougal Street, between 3rd & Bleecker, NYC. (212) 352-3101. www.literallyalive.com.
QUEENS
CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING WITH LOUIE MIRANDA Y SU BANDA: Share rhythms, motions and stories on a bilingual romp through the ever-changing El Louie Show. Everyone becomes a performer and a part of the band at this show: just clap your hands and tap your feet. 1pm and 3pm. Ages 3 and up. $3 with museum admission. $6 theater only. Long Island Children's Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. (516) 224-5800. www.licm.org.
WHAT DO OBJECTS SAY ABOUT YOU?: As we gather at our families' homes to celebrate Thanksgiving, we come across items that tell our personal history. Bring in some of these special objects (or photos of objects) to LICM to share with cultural anthropologist Judith Burgess. Objects from homes can tell us about identity, culture, or history. Judith will have a table of artifacts from homes around the world or right in our neighborhood that will engage all the senses. You will be able to touch, see, smell, hear, and feel objects that are part of another person's identity. This show-and-tell will appeal to verbal and preverbal audiences. 11am, 2pm. Ages 3 and up. Free with museum admission. Long Island Children's Museum, Theater, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. (516) 224-5800. www.licm.org.
ROCKLAND
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND: Sunnyside and Van Cortlandt Manor are fully decorated for the holidays in authentic period style. Costumed guides will present theme tours that focus on historic traditions of the winter holidays. Hands-on workshops for children add holiday cheer to the festivities. 10am-4pm. All ages. $12; $10 for seniors; $6 for children 5-17; children under 5, FREE. Sunnyside, 89 West Sunnyside Lane, Tarrytown. 914-591-8763. Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 South Riverside Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson. 914-591-8763. www.hudsonvalley.org.
Saturday, November 24
WESTCHESTER
AFTER THE TURKEY: After the turkey is gone, hike off the long weekend at Teatown. 1-2:30pm. All ages welcome. $5. Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining. Pre-registration required: 914-762-2912, ext.110. www.teatown.org; email: Teatown@teatown.org.ROCKLAND
DINNER DEMO: See a cooking demonstration (sorry, no eating!) using 18th century dinner tools and recipes. $2. All ages. 11am-4pm. Fort Decker, 1793 Stone House Museum, 127 West Main Street, Port Jervis. (845) 856-2375; www.minisink.org.
Sunday, November 25
QUEENS
LOUIE MIRANDA Y SU BANDA CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING: See November 23.
